James Ashton, artist of the Fleurieu Coast

Description

This year the RSASA History Festival Exhibition is staging one of its most ambitious historical exhibitions of the work of James Ashton (1859 –1935). The exhibition held in the Royal South Australian Society of Art Gallery (RSASA), brings together the largest body of Ashton’s paintings and watercolours yet assembled. 

James Ashton was the RSASA Society’s President from 1914–18, an organization which he worked tirelessly to foster for nearly four decades until his death in 1935. Many of the works sourced have not been displayed in public for over 100 years. The exhibition seeks to shine a light on Ashton’s central importance in Adelaide art circles a century ago.

It will be officially opened on Sunday 27 April at 2pm, by Kate Pulford, Archivist of Prince Alfred College thereafter the exhibition continues until Sunday 1 June 2025.

During this exhibition period talks are scheduled, in the RSASA Gallery, all are welcome. Prior to attending the talks please register at: rsasagoretti.castle@gmail.com.

The two talks in the RSASA Gallery are:

1. “Ashton as Artistic Enabler” (Sunday 4 May 2.00pm) Ken Orchard (Exhibition Curator) in Conversation with Kate Pulford, (Archivist, Prince Alfred College), discussing Ashton’s historical legacy to the College and his wider contribution to visual culture in South Australia.
2. “Ashton – Artist of Place”( Sunday 25 May, 2.00pm ) Ken Orchard in Conversation with Julia Garnaut (Curator, History & Exhibitions, City of Holdfast Bay), discussing key works in the exhibition centering on wetlands and coastal locations of the Adelaide Plains and beyond.

Image: The End of a Perfect Day, Green Bay, Port Elliot. 1929. photo by Michal Kluvanek

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